Signaling system



Jan. 11, 1944 c, E. BEACH SIGNALING SYSTEM Original Fild Feb. 19, 1940 Wmmms INVENTOR Patented Jan. 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Original application February 19, 1940, Serial No. 319,628. Divided and this application January 31, 1941, Serial No. 376,720

18 Claims.

This invention relates to signaling systems, and more particularly to signaling systemsof the type often designated as auxiliary syst ms and having auxiliary or sub-stations for causing signa1- ing activity of associated main signal initiating stations.

The subject matter of this invention was criginally set forth in previous application filed February 19, 1940, Serial No. 319,628, of which this is a division.

This invention is specially suited for use in connection with system including sub-stations and code signal formulating main or master stations so associated that actuation of any sub-station will cause the main station associatedtherewith to be set in operation.

It is deemed highly desirable under many circumstances that, following actuating of any substation, indication shall there be given if, and only in the event that, a resultant master station signal is being formulated in a current path of the main circuit then effective for response to such signal formulation.

So called local battery and trip relay auxiliary stations and systems have heretofore been devised wherein provision was made for sounding what has been termed an answer back signal, responsive to tripping of a relay or tomechanical rotation of a code Wheel, but such prior systems gave no assurance that a then effective main line current path was intelligibly responding to formulation therein of the intended code signal.

It is, therefore, an object of thi invention to provide answer back signaling means, for auxiliary systems, of such character that answer back signals will be given only when signal formulation of the associated master station is occurring in a then effective main circuit current path.

It is a further object to-prov-ide answer back signaling means whereby there will be manifested. an answer back signal which will substantially correspond with the code signal as formulated by the associated master station in a then effective main circuit current path.

It is another object to provide means such that, should formulation of the code signal of the master station associated with an operated substation be delayed because of formulation of the signal of some other station in the main circuit, such situation will be indicated by answer back mechanism.

Qther objects, together with their inherent advantages, will be in part obvious and in part spe cifically pointed out in connection with. the ensuing description of illustrative embodiments of this invention.

In applying this invention to an auxiliary fire alarm system, relays or other current flow responsivev mechanism is associated with the main line current path in such manner that signal formulation effective therein by the associated main station will cause identifying manifestations at an actuated sub-station.

This invention further provides, for use in service conditions such that it will be advantageous, means in association with the main station whereby such identifying impulses will be manifested only following action thereat such as should occur responsive to actuated conditioning of. an associated sub-station and, preferably, con tinuing such manifestations only during activity of the associated main station.

In-so-far as operating conditions may render it expedient, answer back mechanism associated with respective sub-stations is rendered effective for causing the aforesaid identifying manifestations only following actuation of the associated sub-station.

The various general characteristics of this invention, as well as illustrative examples of certain more detailed features thereof, are shown by the accompanying drawing and set forth in the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments illustrated, though practical, are by no means the only em.- bodiments which this invention may assume, wherefore this invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing, but may be changed and modified in various ways so long as such changes and modifications make no material departure from the salient features of this invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrative of an embodiment of this invention suited for use with an improved shunt type auxiliary fire alarm system; and

Figs. 2 and 3 are similarly illustrative of alternative embodiments suited for use with magneto substation types of such systems.

Referring to Fig. l, a main or master code signal formulating station is indicated at M, central station responsive mechanism and current supply equipment are generally indicated at R, and other code signal formulating stations are indicated at B and B".

The main station M may be briefly described as having code signal formulating mechanism 3| of a type suited for use in a normally closed main circuit and having facilities for establishing an emergency path (as to earth) during signal formulation.

The tripping magnet has two windings which are serially connected in the main circuit in relationship such that excitation of either of said windings by current flow in the normal path in said circuit will serve to neutralize correspond ing excitation of the other.

A current path including contacts 45 normally short-circuits the portion of the main circuit including said mechanism 3| as well as the windings of the relays 4| and 43, which will be hereinafter referred to in greater detail.

An armature 52 is responsive to effective energization of said magnet 5| for causing release of the arm 33 to permit movement thereof responsive to spring 35 for effecting separation of said contacts 45 and for causing operation of the mechanism 3| by prewound clockwork (not shown) which clockwork is normally restrained and is tripped responsive to such movement of the trigger piece as causes separation of the contacts 45; said trigger piece being thereafter retained in position to maintain such separation throughout predetermined operation of said mechanism 3|; all in accordance with methods well understood by those skilled in this art.

Movement of said arm 33 responsive to the spring 35 will actuate contacts associated therewith to cause separation of the contacts 41, 49, 64, 65 and 61 and cause closure of the contacts 66.

The windings of said magnet 5| are normally shunted by a comparatively low resistance path comprising the contacts 65, conductor 55, left hand switch members of sub-stations S and S conductor 51 and contacts 67.

The central station comprises a battery NB serially connected in the normal main circuit current path, which path extends from one terminal of said battery through responsive instrument LI, conductor 2 I, station E and conductor 23 to one terminal of main station M, and, from the other terminal of said main station, through conductor 25, station B, conductor 21, rectifier IR," and instrument E1 to the other terminal of said battery.

An emergency battery GB is connected between the earth and the second named terminal of said battery NB, so that said emergency battery may cause current flow through a path including the rectifier IR and responsive instrument GI, and thence to any ground connection which may be established with any portion of the main circuit then in direct communication with said instrument, as with the conductor 21, at station E" or with the conductor 25; and /or a path cooperatively including battery NB, and including the instrument LI and thence to any ground, connection which may be established with any portion of the main circuit then in direct communication with said instrument LI, as with conductor 2|, at station 13 or with the conductor 23.

Operation of sub-stations S and S may be accomplished in two steps, of which the first step interrupts (as at the left hand switch of such station, as viewed in Fig. 1) the path which normally shunts the windings of the magnet 5|, and, at the same time, establishes a path including the central one of said switch members and conductors 53 and 55, to thereby shunt the lower one of the windings of said magnet, as viewed in Fig. 1; for the purpose of causing effective energization of said magnet in the event that there then is normal current flow in the main circuit.

The second step of sub-station operation will effect interruption (at said center switch member) of the shunt around said lower tripping magnet winding and will there establish a connection between conductor 53 and the earth, so that should the main circuit then be ruptured at one side or the other of said station M, or should said station then be short-circuited, effective energization of said magnet will nevertheless result from current flow through an emergency path energized by battery GB and including one, the other or both of said windings in parallel, and thence to ground through conductor 53 and the central switch member of the operated sub-station.

Such energization of the magnet 5| will, through action of the armature 52, permit movement of the arm 33 by the spring 35 which will cause opening of contacts 64, 65 and 61 and closure of contacts 66; thereby isolating conductors 53, 55 and 51 from the main circuit, as well as short circuiting the windings of said magnet 5|.

It is believed that the foregoing brief descriptions of stations such as the main station M and the central station R will here suffice, as more detailed descriptions of such stations and connections therefor may be found in the co-pending application hereinbefore identified and of which this is a division; the reference characters identifying herein the parts of said stations being the same as those applied to corresponding parts in said prior application.

In applying this invention in the indicated manner to a signaling system such as that just described the relays 4| and 63, are serially connected in the main circuit at respective sides of the formulating mechanism 3|, so as to be responsive to current flow reaching said mechanism through either or both of the conductors 23 and 25.

Normally the windings of said relays are severally short circuited by the contacts 47 and 49, respectively, as well as being collectively short circuited, together with the formulating mecha nism 3|, by the contacts 45; it is therefore evident that, during the operation of the formulating mechanism 3| resultant from disengagement of the arm 33 from the armature structure 52, said relays will act responsive to current flow at either or both sides of said formulating mechanism; because of opening of the contacts 41, 3, and 45, incident to such disengagement, and the consequent interruption of the aforesaid circuits.

Answer back manifesters 91 and 91 are associated with the sub-stations S and S respectively; the magnets of these manifesters being normally short circuited by the right-hand switch arms of these stations.

An answer back loop 9| serially includes the manifesters 91 and 91 together with the current ass-exec may be serially connected in the loop 9i, so: that this loop; wilt be: normally closed, and, therefore, under constant test when not-in: use; and current flow in this. loop will then. be interrupted throughout energizations of, either or bothof these relays. Correspondingly, it should be understood. that other sources; of current supply may be substituted for. the battery 9%, such, for example, as electric lighting or power systems.

One or more general. warning signals may be connected for response to! the loop; 9 I as, for ex-. ample, the; warning bell 9.5;

Withthe arrangement of. Fig-i 1,. answer back manifesters associated with subs-stations will. be-

rendered active-only atactuated stations, because those manites-ters which are. associated with. normally conditioned stations remain short: circuited.

by the rightrhand; switches, thereat.

Should. it bedesired that, answer back manif esters. will be active; at stations. other than those from which calls have: been sent,, the. right-hand switches indicated atstationsS? and S shouldbe disconnected or omitted.

It will be understood by those: skilled in this art that many well known types of signals may be substituted for-the tap bells 911- and- 97- Operation Figure-1' Actuation of the switch of either subrstation S or that ofsub-station S? will result in opening of the normal shunt around the manifester 91.

associated with the actuated switch, and will also:

result in energization. of the magnet 51, provided there is, then. an effective current path tov said magnetf rom. either or both of the terminals of the battery NB.

Responsive to. such energization of: said magnet 5 |.,,the armature.- 52- will move to attracted: posi@- tion, thus releasing; arm 33- which will thereupon be moved, by the spring 35, so as to release the formulating mechanism 3| and so as to open the contacts 45, 41 and. 49.

Suchopening of these contacts will result in.

energizationof. one or both of' the; relays 43 and 4|, accordingly as. there is. current flow in the main circuit at one,.the other or both sides of the formulating mechanism 31-; with: resultant closure of the answer back loop 9!.

Thereafter, anycode signal formulated in the main circuit will be manifested by the tap bell 91 associated with the actuated sub-station, as: well. as by any general warning; signals, such as the bell 95.

Thus; it noother signal: is: then being; formulated in the main. circuit, manifestation of, the code: signal of the'mec-hanism, 3 L, by the instruments thenresponsive to theiloop. 921:, will prompt;- ly proceed; but if some other stationis then. active, and the formulator- 31 is. of. the. so-called succession type, the remaining portion. of" the code signal of such other station. will first be manifested by the instruments then responsive to the 10010 9!, and, after the completion or such signal, that of the mechanism 3+ will: be so mania fested.

Should there be no effective currentpath from the formulator 3i to the instruments; at. the centraloffice R (as, for example, in the event of com ductors 23. and being ruptured.) all. of the return signal manifesting instruments will remain silent.

From. the foregoing, it is evident. that, follow-- ing actuation of any sub-station of. thesystem of Fig. 1,. the code signal of: the formulator 3!. will be manifested at or near such. station it and only when that signal is being formulated over a then effective main circuit current path; and, should no such; pathbethen effective, silence of the answer back signal manifesters will apprise of this fact, so. that other means may be sought for summoning aid...

After the completionE ofthe formulation of the code signal of the. mechanism 31, the contacts 45 will be againclosed, thus shortv circuiting the relays ti and 43,, and thereby rendering the answer back. loop; 9.1 and the signaling devicescontrolled thereby unresponsive to any ensuing main line signals from other stations.

Figs. 2 and 3 Referring now to Fig, 2, itwill be seenthat the trip. magnet. 25L may be associated with the main circuit in. the usual. manner, or, if circumstancesare suclithatit isdeemed unnecessary tov maintain main. line circuit constant test of the shunt. loop. from. the central office, or should it be deemed. undesirable that there be any electrical connection. between the main current path and conductors which. connect sub-stations, the

winding of this. trip magnet may be normally isolated. from the main circuit.

The terminals or said trip magnet 25 I are connected to the contacts 253 and 255, respectively, and contact 251, normally engages contact 253-, while contact 259- normally engages contact 255.

The ends of the shunt loop, 261 are connected to the contacts 2-51.- and 2159; respectively, said contacts being abnormally positionable by main station mechanism in: a manner analogous to 1 the operability ofcontacts 64, and 6.!- of Fig. 1.

A resistance. or reactance, such as indicated at 265, may be included between. either they conductor 23. (as shown) or the conductor 25 and the winding of the, trip magnet 25!; for better assuring effective energizatiorr of said magnet in the event that a; comparatively low resistance ac.- cidental short circuit should develop between said conductors 23; and 25.

In each. auxiliary or sub-station there is provided: a normally shunted magneto generator 211,.

with. shunt interrupting means 213 operable responsive to. actuation. of they generator in a well known manner;

Such generators should preferably be of comparatively high, resistance type, in instances in which thetrip magnet 25.! is subject to energizati-on. from themain' line circuit, to the end that adequate energizing current for said magnet will be diverted to flow through the winding thereof when: the shunt. around any sub-station generator is interrupted.

It will be evident that, under normal conditions, the actuation. ofi any sub-station generator will cause effective energization of its associated trip: magnet. 25!, even in the absence of current flow in the main circuit.

Answer back manifester'magneto bells 275, for the respective sub-stations, are associated with the generator shunts thereat so as to be short circuited when the generator is at rest and to be included in the sub-station loop, in series with the generator, during actuation thereof.

Actuation of either of the magneto generators 211, 2TH will causeeiliective energization of the tripping magnet 2'5! with resultant movement of the master station contacts 25 and 25% away from the associated contacts 253 and 255, and intoengagement with the contacts 25! and 26-3, respectively; effected ina manner corresponding to that more fully hereinbefore described in connection with the master station of Fig. 1.

Had the sub-station loop been ruptured when the magneto generator was operated, as just referred to, the answer back bell would have remained silent, thus giving warning of the fact that such operation was futile.

The loop 261 will thus be isolated, by the action just described, from the magnet and from the main line conductors 23 and 25, and further response to magneto actuation by the associated bell 215 will be prevented other than during signaling closures of a current path or paths which cause energizations of either or both of the relays 241 and 243; which relays are similar in action to relays 41 and d3 of Fig. 1.

It will be evident that continued operation of such magneto generator will thereafter cause its associated bell to sound the code signal formulated in the main circuit in a manner analogous to that already described in connection with Fig. 1, other than in the fact that, in the instance of the system of Fig. 2, no extra wires are required between the master station and the sub-stations for effecting the operation of the answer back bells, and the further fact that any associated answer back bell 215 will sound throughout operation of its generator 21!, so long as the shunt loop 25'! remains closed, even should tripping of the master station not be accomplished.

An arrangement such as that of Fig. 3 may be employed Where action of the kind just described would be deemed objectionable. With this arrangement, the relays 341 and 343 are similar in action to relays M and 43 of Fig. l; the contacts 353 and 355 correspond, substantially, with the contacts 263 and 255 of Fig. 2, respectively; and the relationships between the magneto generators 3H, 3H and the magnet I are similar to those of corresponding parts of Fig. 2, but the relationship of the answer back bells 315, 315 differs in that these bells are connected in a separate answer back loop 359, controlled by bellshunting switches 311, 31'! at the respective generators and shunting of the generators is accomplished by their respectively associated switches 313, 313, in a manner such, for example, as that disclosed in patent to Gray, dated December 23, 1884, No. 309,617.

Operation of a generator 31! will effect tripping of the master station through energization of the magnet 35l in a manner corresponding to that described in connection with Fig. 2.

Until the master station has been effectively tripped, the bells 37.5, 3'15 will remain silent.

After the master station has been tripped, resultant movement of contacts 351 and 359, into engagement with contacts 36l and 363, respectively, will connect the answer back loop 339 in series with the sub-station loop 361 through the local contacts of relay 34! and/or relay 343.

Thereafter, continued operation of the associated generator 3?! will cause its bell 315 to sound (shunting contacts 3l3 and 311 being held open by the operation of the generator) such soundin being co-extensive with closures of the contacts of either or both relays 3M and 343.

ince various further changes may be made in the constructions herein described in detail and different embodimentsof this invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is desired to secure by Letters Patent all constructions and embodiments of this invention which fall within the scope of or which might be said to fall between, as a matter of language, claims which are hereby made, as follows:

1. A signaling system having, in combination, a main signaling current path, an emergency path, a main station associated with said paths and having signaling mechanism together with relays and a tripper for said mechanism, means involving said mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said main path and for so as-" sociating said paths as to render effective such formulations in portions of said main path situated at either side of said station during impairment of said main path at the other side, answerback signals, sub-stations With which said signals are severally associated, means for rendering individual ones of said signals responsive; to said relays only during actuated conditioning of its associated sub-station, and remote control means including said sub-stations and said tripper forinitiating activity of said signaling mechanism and for rendering said relays responsive to signaling impulses in respective sides of said main path.

2. A signaling system having, in combination, a. main signaling current path, an emergency path, a main station associated with said paths and having mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said main path and for so associating said paths as to render effective such formulations in portions of said main path situated at either side of said station during impairment of said main path at the other side, remote control means including sub-station mechanism for causing functional activity of said tion mechanism for causing functional activity of said formulating mechanism, a relay associated with said circuit for response to signaling impulses formulated therein, answerback signaling mechanism associated for response to said relay, said main station having conditioning means for normally rendering said relay unre-' sponsive to said circuit, and said conditioning means being responsive to activation of said re- 'mote control means for suspending such unresponsiveness of said relay.

4. A signaling system having, in combination, a main signaling current path, an emergency path, a main station associated with said paths and having mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said main path and for so associating said paths as to render effective such formulations in portions of said main path situated at either side of said station during impairment of said main path at the other side, remote control means including sub-station mech anism for causing functional activity of said formulating mechanism, an answerback signal, and means for rendering said signal responsive to signaling impulses formulated in either or both of the aforesaid main path portions, said comprising mechanism for main station having conditioning means for normally rendering said second named means unresponsive to said main path, and said conditioning means being responsive to activation of said remote control means for suspending such unresponsiveness.

5. A signaling system having, in combination, a main station comprising mechanism for formulating signaling impulses, a circuit responsive to formulating operation of said mechanism, remote control means for causing functional activity of said mechanism, an answerback signal, and means for rendering said signal responsive to signaling impulses formulated in said circuit, said station having conditioning means for normally rendering. ineffective said second named means,

' and said conditioning means being responsive to activation of said remote control means for suspending such ineffectiveness.

6. A signaling system having, in combination, two independently available signaling current paths, signaling mechanism comprising means for causing formulation of signaling impulses in one or the other of said paths, relays serially included in and for response to said paths, respectively, shunts normally rendering said relays unresponsive to signaling impulses in said paths, answerback signals, means for responsively associating said signals with said relays, tripping means for operation to cause formulating activity of said mechanism, means responsive to such operation of said tripping means for interrupting said shunts, and means, including sub-stations, for causing such operation of said tripping means.

7. A signaling system having, in combination, a main signaling current path, signal formulating mechanism associated with said path, a relay serially included in and for response to said path, a shunt normally rendering said relay unresponsive to signaling impulses in said path, answerback signals, means for responsively associating said signals with said relay, tripping means for operation to cause formulating activity of said mechanism, means responsive to such operation of said tripping means for interrupting said shunt, and means, including sub-stations, for causing such operation of said tripping means.

8. A signaling system having, in combination, two independently available main signaling current paths, signaling mechanism comprising means for causing formulation of signaling impulses in one or the other of said paths, answerback signals, means, including relays, for rendering said signals responsive to such impulses as are effectively formulated in either of said paths, remote control means including sub-stations for causing formulating activity of said mechanism, and means responsive to said remote control means for causing association of said relays for response to signaling impulses in respective ones of said paths.

9. A signaling system having, in combination, a main signaling current path, mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said path, and remote control and answerback means comprising two loops, magneto generators each serially included in one of said loops, answerback signals severally associated with said generators and each serially included in the other of said loops, normally ineffective circuit controlling mechanism for establishing serial interconnection between said loops, means associated for response to signaling impulses in said path for governing the continuity of such interconnection, means responsive to 'energizationof the first named one or said loops by any one of said generators for initiating activity of said formulating mechanism, means involving said initiating means for rendering efiective said circuit controlling mechanism, pairs of normally closed shunts at respective ones of said generators, one shunt of each pair being for the first named loop around its generator and the other shunt for the second named loop around the associated signal, and means for opening respective pairs of shunts resp'onsive to operation of the associated generator.

10:. A sign ing system. having, in combination, a main signaling current path, mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said path, and remote control answerback means comprising conductors providing a loop, a magneto genrato-r for energizing said loop, a signal associated with said loop for response to such energization, means correspondingly associated with said loop for initiatin activity of said formulating mechanism, and means associated with said path for governing the continuity of said loop.

1].. A master station for auxiliary signaling service having, in combination, two independently available main current paths, mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said paths, relays serially included in and for response to said paths, a third current path, said relays having contacts for governing the continuity of said third path, normally effective shunts for said main paths around said relays, respectively, electromagnetically governed means for initiating activity of said mechanism and for interrupting said shunts, and an operating current path for said electromagnetically governed means.

12. A master station for auxiliary signaling service having, in combination, two independently available main current paths, mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said paths, relays serially included in and for response to said paths, a third current path, said relays having contacts for governing the continuity of said third path, normally effective shunts for said main paths around said relays, respectively, and means for initiating activity of said mechanism and for interrupting said shunts.

13. A master station for auxiliary signaling service having, in combination, a main current path, signal formulating mechanism for said path, a relay serially included in and for response to said path, a second current path, said relay having contacts for governing the continuity of said second path, a normally effective shunt for said main path around said relay, electromagnetically governed means for initiating activity of said mechanism and for interrupting said shunt; and an operating current path for said electromagnetically governed means.

14. A master station for auxiliary signaling service having, in combination, a main current path, mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said path, a relay serially included in and for response to said path, a second current path, said relay having contacts for governing the continuity of said second path, a normally effective shunt for said main path around said re- I lay, and means for initiating activity of said mechanism and for interrupting said shunt.

15. A ma ter station for auxiliary signaling service having, in combination, two independently available main current paths, mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said paths, an answerback current path, means for governing the continuity of said last named path responsive to and for causing said conditioning means to render said governing means responsive to said main path during activity so initiated, and an operating current path for said electromagnetically governed means.

16. A master station for auxiliary signaling service having, in combination, two independently available main current paths, mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said paths, an answerback current path, means for governing the continuity of said last named path responsive to signaling impulses in either or both of said two main paths, conditioning means for normally rendering said governing means unresponsive to said main paths, and means for initiatin activity of said mechanism and for causing said conditioning means to render said governing means responsive to said main path during activity so initiated.

17. A master station for auxiliary signaling service having, in combination, a main current path, mechanism for formulating signaling impulses in said path, an answerback current path, means for governing the continuity of said last named path responsive to signaling impulses in said main path, conditioning means for normally rendering said governing means unresponsive to said main path, electromagnetically governed means for initiating activity of said mechanism and for causing said conditioning means to render said governing means responsive to said main path during activity so initiated, and an operating current path for said electromagnetically governed means.

18. A master station for auxiliary signaling service having, in combination, a main current path, ignal formulating mechanism for said path, an answerback current path, means for governing the continuity of said last named path responsive to signaling impulses in said main path, conditioning means for normally rendering said governing means unresponsive to said main path, and means for initiating activity of said mechanism and for causing said conditioning means to render said governing means responsive to said main path during activity so initiated.

C. E. BEACH. 

